The Bonneville debuted in 1957 as a Pontiac special edition, then became a series of its own and remained in the lineup through 2005. The nameplate generally stood for big, luxurious automobiles that also packed a punch under the hood. The seller has a 1968 edition that’s also a convertible, one of more than 7,000 produced that year. It’s had a lot of work done recently, so it should be a great driver for weekend outings. Located in Grants Pass, Oregon, this boat-sized Poncho is available here on craigslist for $19,500. Another fine tip from “Curvette”.
General Motors’ B-body full-size cars received a rework in 1965, so the Bonneville got a facelift in 1967 with further tweaks in 1968. Power was provided by a 400 cubic inch V8 with a 4-barrel carburetor (as in the seller’s car), and a 428 was still optional for those wanting more gusto. Headlights reverted to horizontal from stacked in 1968 for the first time since 1962. A new option that year would be an 8-Track tape player, which everyone would seem to soon have, including me (terrible technology, as you could sometimes hear two songs at the same time!).
The seller’s asking price includes recovering some of the cost of the extensive work that has been done. The highlights include new brakes, suspension components, tires, gaskets, and a rebuild of the automatic transmission (98,000 miles). The vehicle presents quite well with no rust, sporting vibrant yellow/gold paint and a tan interior (black would have been better, IMO).
Considering the condition of the car, we’re guessing some cosmetic restoration has been done, like the paint and upholstery. But the seller doesn’t go in that direction with the listing, mostly focusing on all the new stuff. If you want to attract attention at Cars & Coffee, driving up in this machine with the top down should do it.
Uh, if you want a taxi cab convertible. That color ruined it.
It’s a genuine Tijuana Taxi! HONK! HONK!
Thank you (normadesmond). I recently saw another car on BF in this bright yellow, and it also looked terrible on it also. I understand giving a car a color that “pops”, just not a stock version. Leave the bright colors to the custom resto-mods. The only cars that I know of from the ’60s or ’70s that would have came from the factory in a bright color, are the hi-performance sports cars. JMO
What is that on the nose of the hood. Makes you want to gag.
Can’t rightly make it out, Doone-
But it reminds me of Jaguar XJS owners that aren’t satisfied with just the Growler badge…when they add a Leaper on the nose too.
Jiggers!
@ Doone, good eye. I didn’t notice that until I read your post. Looks like a hood ornament from a Tri- fi Chevy. That just gave this Pontiac another demerit!
I’d tone down that yellow paint to
maybe a butter yellow or a nice
shade of cream and install a white top instead of the black one. That to me would make the car look more dignified than it does now. Never really cared much for the beaky front end, but
for $19K I could learn to live with it. Other than that screaming yellow paint job, this car checks
pretty much all the boxes for me.
And since I do live in Florida, that
would mean a lot of top down
driving fun.
I just don’t recall many yellow cars then, and normadesmond nailed it. Back then, certain colors were reserved for certain applications. Red: fire chief, B&W: TV and police cruisers, black: funeral, and yes, yellow was for a taxi,,or school bus. A convertible taxi a bit of a stretch,,,maybe in Cuba. The color is called “Goldenrod Yellow”, A-2119, and could be original, just never saw any. It looks too well done for Earl (Scheib), and certainly befitting the open air cruising in the sun. Appears to be a well presented car, and I like hood ornaments ( see Avatar)
For what its worth. The yellow and black top look pretty sharp together, and I agree with Russ, a black interior would have looked great together. And it looks like a good quality job on the interior and exterior as well. Tilt steering column is a nice option too. Something you dont see every day. The wheel covers are from a ’65 or ’66 full size Pontiac, but they are in good condition and they match. I know this shade of yellow may not be everybody’s cup of tea but, its a happy summertime color on a drop top mid 60’s Pontiac. Hope it goes to a good new home.
Yellow / Black looks great together – on certain cars.
C3 Corvettes come to mind.
Not only does the yellow look out of place but it’s a three color car. That messes with your brain since all the colors are fine on their own. Together not so much. White seats will black carpet and dash would make this work. As for a Bonneville convertible? I’m in.
shame. this color will not help with the sale of this Indian even being a drop top. 10k as it sits. not going to recoup repair costs.
First time my little fingers got shut in a car door was in a 68 Bonneville convertible about this colour or a brighter yellow. I was about 5.
But I’ve still always had one of these on my bucket list. Even in later years when I was more able to appreciate these cool cruisers, I wanted one even more.
Got my hands, garage, and wallet too full…and empty atm. Maybe still one day. Cool Pontiac!
A TURD ! Hard Pass !!
If you’ve ever owned a convertible (I have owned several), you do not, and I repeat not, want black interior. All Naugahyde gets hot in the sun, but black will melt into your skin on a hot day. But I am with the majority, that paint color is horrid.